Tire deflation and inflation indicator



y 1941- E. C. JONES 'ETAI, 2,249,426

TIRE DEFLATION AND INFLATION INDICATOR Filed June 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1941- v E. c. JONES ET AL 2,249,426

TIRE DEFLATION AND INFLATION INDICATOR Filed June 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JH/Uk wrong EDWARD c JOA/E 5 4/10 TOM a. SEA Y.

July 15, 1941. E Q JONES ET AL 2,249,426

TIRE DEFLATION AND INFLATION INDICATOR Filed June 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Iii IT I: g \a EDWARD c. JONES/m: 7'0/1 B. 55/4 y 1941- E. c. JONES ET AL 2,249,426

TIRE DEFLATION AND INFLATION INDICATOR Filed June 5, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (Eu J, 1 J6 f a mam 1 we 1 01/5 EDWARD C. JONES 4ND TOI?- B- SEA Patented July is, 1941 TIRE DEFLATION AND INFLATION INDICATOR I Edward C. Jones and Tom B. Seay,

San Antonio, Tex.

Application June 5, 1940. Serial No. 339,018

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a tire deflation and inflation indicator.

An object of the invention is the construction of a novel and eflicient device applied to the rim of the wheel of a motor vehicle, airplane or the like, for indicating the pressure at all times within the pneumatic tire of said wheel.

Another object is the provision of novel means for registering a set given pressure within the inner tube of a pneumatic tire; also the extreme maximum pressure desired to be used by the operator, and any other amount of air pressure that might be considered dangerous and hazardous for continued operation of the transportation being used by the operator.

A still further object of the invention relates to a novel device that can be attached to, or on or through the rim and in contact with the inner tube, the device being capable of registering variation of pressure in the inner tube, by operating, through an electric circuit, indicating or signaling means on a motor vehicle, airplane or the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of the preferred form of the device constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

Figure 2 is a. vertical sectional view, taken on line 2--2, Fig. l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the device shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 'II, Figure 4, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a. fiat rim, tire, etc., showing the device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 applied thereto.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9- -9, Fig. 8, and looking in the direction of the arrows; the device being shown in full lines.

. Figure 10 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view 01' a wheel, including a fiat rim,

showing the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 applied thereto, with the exception that in this figure, the conduit is extending from one side of the device.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a wheel with a drop center rim, showing the device of Fig. 3 thereon, with a rubber protector around the device.

Figure 12 is a diagram of an airplane pneumatic wheel with our invention applied thereto.

Figure 13 is a diagram of an airplane pneumatic wheel having a drop center rim to which is attached or applied our invention.

Figure 14 is a transverse fragmentary sectional view of a wheel showing the manner of applying, or the general hook-up, of our invention on said wheel.

Figure 15 is a wiring diagram of the system employing our devices.

Referring to the drawings, in which we have shown the preferred embodiments of our invention, A designates the preferred form, comprising an outer casing I which is threaded at 2, whereby the device can be threaded or screwed into a bushing 3, Figs 8 and 9. 1

The casing I is also threaded at its lowe end 3- to receive a sealing cap 4. A slotted sleeve 5 is mounted within the casing I and rests at its lower end upon the adjustable bushing guide 6. This bushing guide 6 is threaded upon the lower end of the casing I, Fig. 2. The sleeve 5 is provided with an elongated slot 1 into which extends the inn ends of horizontal pins 8, similar to pins 8 i Fig. 7. These pins 8 limit the vertical slidingmovement of the plunger 9. The plunger 9 has an arcuate or rounded head I0 threaded thereon. Interposed between head I0 and slotted sleeve 5 is a coiled spring H this spring surrounds a portion of the plunger 9, as is clearly seen in Figure 2. The plunger 9 has a compartment or slot I2, in which is mounted contact holder I3. Contact holder I3 is mounted directly on adjusting screw I4. Screw I4 extending vertically through a portion of the plunger 9. The contact holder I3 includes a tacts l9 and 20 and the housing. A suitable cable 23 is connected to one end of the contact 20 and this cable 23 is electrically connected to a green light of the system. Cable 24 is connected at one end to an end of contact l8, and this cable is connected to a red light and a buzzer, for signaling when the pressure in the inner tube is diminishing. When the pressure in the inner tube is correct the current will flow through contact 20 and cable 23 to the green light, indicating that all is correct. This signaling is accomplished by the pressure in the inner tube forcing head l downward, causing the plunger 9 to hold the contact holder in such position as will cause the contact wiper point Hi to engage an end of the contact 20, leading to the green light. When the pressure in the inner tube or tire decreases, spring II will force upwardly or inwardly head l0, resulting in the sliding contact wiper point moving across the insulation filler to engagement with the comparatively broad or wide contact is; this contact has a greater exposed surface than contact 20 because it is desirable to have the red light burning longer, as the pressure is lowered in the tube, to give the operator of the vehicle full warning, through the hook-up oi the red light and the buzzer.

By adjusting the bushing guide 8, tension on coil spring II will be varied; also by adjusting screw ll an accurate control can be had on pcsitioning of the wiper point I! with reference to the contacts l9 and 20.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 the head it is the same as in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The head It (Fig. 4) is mounted upon a plunger unit 15, which is vertically slotted at 28, in the same general manner as is plunger 9. In slot 25 are the inner ends of pins 8a; these pins 8a are mounted in a horizontal position upon the body or casing 25', which casing is similar in function to casing i. Within the plunger unit 25 is a coil spring 21, which exerts upward or outward pressure at all times upon the head ID. A spring-seat plug 28 is threaded into the bottom of casing 25' and the lower end of spring 21 bears against said plug 28.

trolled, to suit the operator. A spring I! is fastened in the head; this spring 18 is of a double L-shape construction, to give stability, and to ail'ord an outwardly extending portion 30 for engaging with the horizontal contact terminal 3| (Fig. 4). Contact terminal ii is partly embedded in a tiller 3!, which filler I! is formed of any suitable non-conducting material. A second filler a is positioned vertically in casing 25' and supports a thimble-like terminal 34. Adjustably mounted in terminal I4 is a contact screw 3!. By rotating screw 35 the inner end thereof can be moved towards or away from the portion 30 of L-shape spring 28. The wire 36 is adapted to be connected to the green light of the system, and the wire 31 is adapted to be connected to the danger or red light and the buzzer of the system. When the inner tube is suitably expanded, the portion III will be engaging the inner end of By screwing inwardly or outwardly plug 28, the tension of the spring 21 can be con-' screw 35, thereby completing the circuit to the 7 green light. However, upon the inner tube being deflated for any reason the portion ll engages the contact terminal Si which results in the red light burning and the buzzer operating, to

ing deflated, or has become entirely deflated, whereupon the operator will be fully warned.

In Figures 8 and 9 the preferred device is shown screwed into the bushing I, which bushing is also screwed into the rim 3!.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the device has the conduit 3! entering its side, as

well as the side of the holder 40; holder 40 is" provided with a cap ll. Holder 40 is screwed into flat rim I I.

In Figure 11 we have shown a rubber protector 42 around the device, which protector rests on the inside of the drop center rim 4!. The conduit 44 extends up through rim 4! and connects to the device through the bottom of the casing thereof.

Referring to Figure 14: The deviceA is mounted on the drop rim 4! and the conduit 44 passes through the hub 45 at 4. The wires of the conduit II are connected to an insulated ring 41 which is suitably supported at 48 upon the inner face of hub I. In this insulating ring 41 are metallic collecting rings 49. Brushes 50 contact at their outer ends with these collecting rings 48. Leading from the inner ends of brushes II are the wires of the conduit ii.

In Figures 12 and 13 the same general hookup is applied as shown and described in general with reference to the disclosure of Figure 14.

Referring to Figure 15: There are shown preferabiy five green lights I2; a buzzer I, a bus bar 54, a red danger light 55, all suitably electrically connected. 56 is a lamp base circuit. 51 is a light and buzzer switch. 58, 5!, 80 and BI are terminals of control switch 51. Dotted lines 59 indicate electrical connections between terminals of switch at 51 and II, Fig. 15, when switch knob is pulled out. The switch bar 58 is shown connecting terminals 58 and 80, and dotted lines 58- indicate its other position when pulled out, completing circuit through terminals 51 and M. A master switch 82 is electrically connected by wire 83 to the terminals 58, I9, and BI. By means of a wire N a master switch S2 is electrically connected to battery ll. In this diagram, 60 designates the four wheels, and 61 is the spare wheel (or spare tire). At A in this diagram the devices are shown, electrically connected to two of the wheels Ii. The specific hook-up of each device in a wheel has been described in connection with the description of Figure 14.

It is to be understood that when the pressure in the inner tube of all of the pneumatic tires is proper, then the green lights 52 will continue to burn or glow. However, when, for any reason, the pressure is lowered in the inner tubes, then the green lights assisted with the tubes of reduced pressure will go out, and the red light II, as well as buzzer 53 will operate, to warn the operator. This is true whether one of the inner tubes (wheel) is aifected, or if all are affected at the same time.

In Figure 3, the dotted line 88 indicates how the conduit may be connected'to the side of the casing II, instead of being connected to its bottom as is shown in full lines in this figure.

In the embodiments shown particularly in Figures 2 and 4 there are several common features, including the casings l and 25', the arcuate head II, the slotted plunger unit 8 and II, carrying head l0, which unit is outwardly pushed or held by a coil spring in both instances; in each embodiment there is a contacting unit exindicate to the operator that the, inner tube is be- (I tending laterally from the plunger unit, adapted to engage a plurality of contacts carried at one side of the casing, etc.

While we have described the preferred embodiments of our invention and illustrated same in the accompanying drawings, certain changes or' alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of same, and we, thereiore,

reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall rairly fall within the scope or the appended claims.

What we claim is;

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, an adjustable bushing in one end oi said casing, a slotted sleeve within said casing and resting on said bushing, a sliding plunger within said casing and bushing, said sliding plunger provided with a slot registering with the slot of said sleeve, pins on said casing and extending into the slots of said plunger and said sleeve, a head on the upper end of said plunger, a coil spring resting at one end on one endof said sleeve, and pressing at its other end against said head, a contact holder in said plunger, an adjusting screw extending through a portion of said plunger and supporting said contact holder, said contact holder provided with a spring-pressed contact wiper point, said casing provided with a housing on its side, an insulating filler in said housing, a pair oi contacts in said filler and having their inner ends exposed to the inside of said casing, and said contact wiper 2. Ina deviceroi theclass dficribed, the com bination of a casing provided with a threaded portion near its upper end, 'said casing being provided with a sealing cap on its lower end, a bushing guide screwed into the lower end of said casing, a slotted sleeve within the casing and resting upon the said bushing guide, a plunger within said sleeve, said plunger provided with an elongated slot registering with slot of said sleeve, pins on said casing and extending into said slots, a coil spring around said plunger and resting at its inner end against oneend of said sleeve, a head on said plunger and against one end of said coil spring, said plunger provided with a compartment, a screw extending through a portion of the lower end of said plunger, and

into said compartment, a contact holder mounted on said screw within said compartment, said contact holder provided with a hollow portion, a hollow contact wiper point within said hollow portion, a spring within said wiper point, a housing on one side oi said casing, a non-conducting filler within said housing, terminals of varying sizes embeded in said filler, and said wiper point being adapted to engage either one oi said terminals, depending upon the movement oi said plunger within said casing, substantially as shown and described.

EDWARD (J. JONES,

TOM B. BEAY. 

